Masks No Longer Compulsory, Beijing Subway Says

The Beijing Subway will continue to recommend passengers to wear masks but will not compel them to do so -- nor will they prevent any maskless riders to board, according to inquiries made directly with the Beijing Subway system earlier this week.

With this, one of the last remaining vestiges of Covid-19 control is being removed -- though truth be told, with reports of spring colds and other viruses circulating (plus that damn poplar fluff that plagues us this time of year), you wouldn't be blamed for continuing to wear a mask in crowded public spaces anyhow.

Reports of this came to us via BRTV's Beijing Time Weibo account, which reported intrepid journos not only called the subway information hotline, but also tested the theory by entering the subway at two different locations.

Journalists attempted to enter Line 1 at Sihui maskless, and were told "if you have a mask, please wear it."

But when asked if it was compulsory, they were told that it was a strong recommendation but not a requirement, and that maskless passengers would not be compelled to leave the subway.

When calling the subway information hotline (96165), they were told the following:

96165: We recommend that passengers wear masks.
Journalist: Can people enter without a mask?
96165: It's not an absolute requirement, but we recommend for your health and the health of other passengers that you wear one anyhow.

We at the Beijinger also called 96165 and received the same response. However, when we followed up with the city information hotline, 12345, we were told there has been no change in policy.

This is a reminder that policy tends to change gradually, and word does not necessarily travel instantaneously. Therefore your mileage may vary. We recommend subway riders continue to bring a mask, and don it if asked to (rather than attempting to prove a point by arguing with the subway attendants).

Suffice it to say the ebb of Covid-era controls is inevitablly coming our way, so take it easy and it will all be over soon.

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Images: Safe & Sane in Beijing; Beijing Time